Ask Ali: The meaning of the Arabic word yaani and sniffing out popular Emirati perfumes

Dear Ali: I sometimes hear my Arab friends use the word "yaani" maybe 30 times in one short conversation. What is its meaning? KB, Abu Dhabi

Dear KB: This is a good observation – and you’re right about it being used 30 times in a conversation. The word yaani saves many Arabic speakers when they’re at a loss for words to explain something or to explain themselves in a conversation. On many occasions when my friends are speaking, I count how many times they say “yaani” and I tease them about it.

For an expat, I agree, it’s a bit confusing. Yaani is the Arabic word for “means”, but it also can be used as “umm”, “er” or “you know, like”.

Here are some examples: “Yaani, you wouldn’t have to do this until you do that”; “I have finished my homework, yaani, I can do whatever I want now.”

Even if it doesn’t come first in a sentence, or in the middle or at the end, you still may say it whichever way you want and it would still give the same message.

Dear Ali: I was just in Dubai for a short visit. You have a very beautiful country and I fell in love with almost everything. One thing made me curious, though. Most of the time I spent in malls and I saw many Emirati people. I was very attracted to the unique, beautiful, fragrant plume that I caught every time I walked near people wearing your national dress. What is the name of the perfume that you use and can I get it in my country as well? KA, London

Dear KA. I’m glad you liked it here. It depends on individual taste; however, we Emiratis have some tastes in common and often choose the same fragrances, which may be not so popular in other parts of the world. The story begins a long time ago, when our grandfathers were looking for natural and raw scents when trading with and travelling to nearby countries, such as India. Once discovered, they started creating the most unique blends, which eventually became popular in this region.

Our perfumes are made from pure extracted oils of oud, rose, amber and musk and are either applied directly in a tiny quantity, since they are very concentrated, or may be blended in different proportions with each other or with other attars (perfumes), creating a beautiful essence with these basic notes.

Did you know that all of these oils have different origins? Some are found in a specific tree; another from a whale. Amazing, isn’t it?

Today, all kinds of perfume oils are available, but unfortunately they’re not always natural. Chemicals are added to achieve the same smell of the original oil at a reduced cost.

I wouldn’t advise using those. Instead, go for a good-quality perfume. It will be a little more expensive, but excellent in its quality. Its rich fragrance will last for hours or even days, without changing.

Does this all mean that we don’t use French perfumes? No. We like and use them as well. I will tell you a secret – sometimes we mix French with Arabian perfumes to create beautiful, fresh Oriental scents. There’s a recently launched perfume made by the Emirati perfumer Ali Al Jabri, who created the AJ brand. You can find it in many of the popular perfume stores around the world, including Harrods in London.

Also check out the well-known brands Hind Al Oud and Anfasic Dokhoon, as well the stores Ajmal and Rasasi, in shopping malls in the UAE and Gulf, which can provide you with Emiratis’ favourite perfumes.

If you don’t have any Arabian perfumes yet, you can always find the fragrances among popular European brands that have special collections with oud, musk and amber.

Ali Al Saloom is a cultural adviser and public speaker from the UAE. Follow @AskAli on Twitter, and visit www.ask-ali.com to ask him a question.

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